This document summarizes a study comparing the capabilities and costs of using a tower crane versus mobile cranes on two infrastructure projects in Coffs Harbour, NSW. It finds that a Raimondi 12t ER 240 tower crane had nearly double the productivity of a Kobelco CKE1800 mobile crane. For projects lasting less than 6 months, mobile cranes were cheaper due to lower mobilization costs for tower cranes. However, for longer projects the tower crane was cheaper due to its lower operating costs outweighing higher mobilization fees over time. The document provides specifications for the tower and mobile cranes used in the case study.

1. Crane Study
Crane study based on the use of a
Raimondi 12t ER 240 Tower Crane
on the Coffs Infrastructure
Alliance, NSW
Author: Dean Garratt (MIEAust)

2. Introduction
■ Many water projects have the option of either using mobile cranes or
a combination of mobile cranes and a tower crane
■ Depending on the ground conditions, space, duration of use,
availability of power and cost, a decision can be made on whether a
tower crane is beneficial to the project
■ As an example a tower crane was used at two projects for the Coffs
Infrastructure Alliance i.e. Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) & Water
Treatment Plant (WTP). The same crane was used on the WRP first,
then demobilised and transported to the WTP

3. Aim
■ Compare costs & capabilities of using
a tower crane over an equivalent
mobile crane using case studies

4. CAPABILITIES

5. ■ Make/Model: Raimondi ER240 Tower Crane Max.
boom length = 75m max.
■ Max. horizontal reach = 75m
■ Max. Tower height (ground to under hook)
= 60m max.
■ Max. load = 12 tonne @ 16m (double jib
assembly)
■ Max. load @ max’m reach of 75m = 2 tonne
■ Max. trolley speed = 3.4km/hr
■ Load hoisting/lowering speed = 90 m/min
■ Max. slewing speed = 0.7 rotations/min
■ Total installed power = 65-115kW
■ Max. allowable operating wind speed = 60km/hr
Example Tower Crane Specifications

6. ■ Make/Model: Kobelco CKE1800 Hydraulic
Crawler Crane 180t
■ Max. boom length = 85.3m max.
■ Max. horizontal reach = 70m @ 42m above grnd
■ Max. height (ground to under hook) = 85m
■ Max. load @ max. reach of 70m = 2.0 tonne
■ Max. travel speed = 1.1 km/h
■ Boom hoisting/lowering speed = 54m/min
■ Load hoisting/lowering speed= 100 m/min
■ Max. slewing speed = 2.6 rotations/min
■ Total installed power = 247kW
■ Max. allowable operating wind speed = 60km/hr
Example Mobile Crawler Crane Specifications

7. Productivity Analysis- Using example from next slide
■ Time it takes crawler crane & tower crane to lift
load from point ‘Y’ to point ‘X’ using data provided
Movement time Tower Crane Crawler Crane
Pick up (hoist) Same Same
Slew 25 sec 15 sec
Trolley/Luff 15 sec 60 sec
TOTAL 40 sec 75 sec
■ Therefore Tower crane productivity almost double
that of a crawler crane

8. EXAMPLE REACH & ACTUAL LOCATION OF TOWER CRANE-
Coffs WRP
Capacities relate to
tower crane with
single jib assembly

9. Example Tower Crane Load radius characteristics- Single
or double jib assembly

10. Example Crawler Crane working ranges (180t)

11. Example Crawler Crane boom lifting capacity (180t)

12. ■ Raimondi tower crane has greater reach capability
■ Raimondi tower crane & 180t crawler have similar load
capacity at full boom radius
■ Maximum load at shorter radius’ superior with Crawler
cranes eg. 180t crawler @ 18m radius = 19t (with longest
boom length)
Tower crane @ 16m radius = 6t
■ Load capacities of tower cranes depend on single or double
jib assembly
■ Tower crane single jib assembly faster than double jib
assembly, double jib assembly greater load capacity
■ Crawler cranes able to move to locations to create greater
load capacity, tower crane cannot (unless on rail tracks)
■ Operating wind load capacity the same
■ Large foundations required for tower cranes, crawler cranes
setup immediate (no outriggers required)
■ Similar load hoisting speeds
■ Slewing speed superior for crawler crane
■ Trolley speed of tower crane superior to travel speed of
crawler crane
Tower Crane/Mobile Crane -Capability comparison
notes

13. COST

14. Tower Crane/Mobile Crane Case Study with Generator
powered Raimondi for 1 years use
■ Running costs 13-21% higher for Mobile cranes
■ Mob/Demob costs much higher for Tower cranes
■ Overall cost of Raimondi tower crane $6000 higher than 180t
Crawler

15. Tower Crane/Mobile Crane Case Study with Mains powered
Raimondi for 1 years use
■ Running costs 18-28% higher for Mobile cranes
■ Mob/Demob costs much higher for Tower cranes
■ Overall cost of Raimondi tower crane $22 000 cheaper than
180t Crawler

16. Tower Crane/Mobile Crane Case Study with Generator
powered Raimondi for 2 years use
■ Running costs 13-21% higher for Mobile cranes
■ Mob/Demob costs much higher for Tower cranes
■ Overall cost of Raimondi tower crane $116 000 cheaper than
180t Crawler

17. Tower Crane/Mobile Crane Case Study with Mains powered
Raimondi for 2 years use
■ Running costs 18-28% higher for Mobile cranes
■ Mob/Demob costs much higher for Tower cranes
■ Overall cost of Raimondi tower crane $170 000 cheaper than
180t Crawler

18. Cost Comparison (excl demob)
0.00
0.40
0.80
1.20
1.60
Month
1 25 50 75 100
Raimondi tower crane (mains powered)
Favco 1500 tower crane (diesel)
160t Crawler
180t Crawler
180t crawler crane
overtakes tower crane
costs after 6 mnths use

19. ■ Running costs of crawler cranes always exceed running costs of
tower cranes
■ Longer durations of use suit the use of a tower crane over a
crawler crane due to mob/demob costs of tower cranes
■ Cheaper to run mains power to a tower crane than using a
generator or diesel tower crane
■ Shorter durations of use suit a crawler crane due to mob/demob
costs of tower crane & time to mob/demob
■ Approx. time to construct foundation for tower crane = 2 ½ weeks
■ Approx. time to erect & commission tower crane = 2 days
■ Costs current as of May 2008
Tower Crane/Mobile Crane -Cost comparison notes

20. Advantages/Disadvantages of Tower Crane Use
Advantages Disadvantages
Traffic Cost (if less than 6mnths to 1 yr)
Access Fixed in 1 location
Reach- working space
- central location
Time to construct foundations, erect &
commission tower crane
Faster trolley/travel speed – double the
productivity rate
Less space required around structures
Min’m horizontal reach = 2m

21. Advantages Disadvantages
Able to move to different locations Cost (if more than 6 mnths use)
Cheaper & faster to mob and demob Needs to be further away from structure
therefore less maximum reach
Cost (if less than 6 mnths use) Minimum horizontal reach = 17m
Need level pads to operate, can’t operate on
grades
Productivity half as fast as tower crane
when considering hoisting, slewing and
luffing speeds of crawler crane
Advantages/Disadvantages of Crawler Crane Use

22. End of presentation